Author: Akanksha Nagar

Govt tightens satcom rules; mandates legal interception of satcom services, bars data routing outside country

DoT circular emphasizes the need for Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) operators to implement robust cybersecurity measures, including adherence to the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Rules under the Telecom Act, 2023. (Image source: Unsplash)

The Department of Telecom has issued stringent security norms mandating legal interception of satellite communication services and barred companies from linking users’ connections in any form with any terminal or facility located outside the country’s border or processing their data overseas.

Hollywood studios ready to invest, collaborate with Indian creators to realize PM Modi’s vision for $100 billion creative economy: MPA Chief Charles Rivkin

Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, listed key enablers like IP protection, regulatory incentives, responsible AI adoption, and infrastructure development as essential for sustained growth.

Highlighting India’s cinematic legacy and technological leadership in visual effects (VFX), Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), positioned the country as an attractive partner for major Hollywood studios.

Indian cinema driving global influence and economic growth, says Union Minister L Murugan

“India is steadfast in its commitment to protecting the intellectual property rights of the filmmakers. For content creators, these rights are fundamental to the sustainability of our creative industry," said Dr. L. Murugan at WAVES.

Speaking on the third day of WAVES 2025, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L Murugan, highlighted India’s cinematic achievements, economic impact, and the government’s commitment to a thriving, globally competitive entertainment ecosystem.

India’s screen economy added Rs 5.1 lakh crore to GDP in 2024; created over 26 lakh jobs: Deloitte-MPA Report

Deloitte-MPA report shares economic impact of the film, television, and online curated content (OCC) industry in India, 2024.

While TV alone contributed to over Rs 3.1 lakh crore as a gross output to India’s GDP in 2024, film contributed around 1.2 lakh crore, followed by online curated content at Rs 74,756 crore, the report said.

“Most media companies haven’t changed at all”: Uday Shankar calls for innovation in monetization, local content to unlock India’s M&E growth

Uday Shankar, Vice Chairman of JioStar, said that all screens should not be treated alike in terms of regulations.

Uday Shankar, Vice Chairman of JioStar, speaking at WAVES 2025, called out Indian media companies to step up as global leaders, not just in content creation, but also in business model reinvention. He reflected on the evolution of pay TV, need for price sensitivity, and emphasized the critical need for innovation across the subscription landscape and the film industry.

Sundar Pichai warns of national security risks; opposes US govt antitrust remedies

Sundar Pichai voiced strong objections to the Department of Justice's proposed remedies in Google's antitrust case.

Google’s CEO testified in the US Department of Justice’s antitrust case, arguing that proposed remedies could harm innovation, disrupt user experience, could cripple Google Search and jeopardise national security.

“We want to build with India, for India”: OpenAI’s Pragya Misra on AI’s expanding role in storytelling, business and innovation

“There is always this feeling that if you go to an AI model and ask something India-specific, it gives you global images,” Misra of OpenAI acknowledged. “We’ve made a conscious effort to ensure our tools serve the contextual needs of Indians far better,” she said.

India is OpenAI’s second-largest and fastest-growing market, says Pragya Misra, Public Policy and Partnerships Lead at OpenAI in India, as she outlines the company’s deep commitment to empowering Indian creators, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs through AI-driven tools and localised innovation.

Policies are never frozen, always evolving documents: Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi

Gaurav Dwivedi shared an update on Prasar Bharati’s collaboration with Sankhya Labs and IIT Kanpur on the Direct-D2M initiative, noting that the organisation is in the process of selecting a consultant to guide the project.

In an exclusive conversation with Storyboard18, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi shed light on the public broadcaster’s role in democratising content, and the evolving landscape of content creation and distribution in India.

YouTube is a core part of India’s advertising ecosystem: Ajay Vidyasagar of YouTube

According to Vidyasagar, India continues to play a crucial role in shaping how storytelling, technology, and commerce converge on YouTube.

In an exclusive conversation with Storyboard18, Ajay Vidyasagar, MD, YouTube, Southeast Asia and Emerging Markets, highlighted how India is not only keeping pace with global trends but in many ways setting them.